What are you thinking about?
Philippines 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
1. Do you BELIEVE it is possible to not be anxious about ANYTHING? In life, there will be trials, disappointments, heartaches, and belly aches! But, through it, do you think you can stop and think of what it would be like NOT to be anxious about ANYTHING?
2. Do you believe you can go to God in prayer in EVERYTHING?
There is nothing too big or too small for God. Sometimes we think that God will look down upon us if we pray for the little things. Sometimes we feel like we have to deal with problems ourselves, instead of praying first.
3. Do you believe that God's Peace will cover your understanding?
God's Peace promises to surpass our understanding of the whys and what's of life. He promises to give us peace that is everlasting. Peace is something that people search for through relationships, drugs, work, money, success, or significance. Peace is given by God. No one and nothing can give you lasting peace that will transcend all your understanding.
4. Do you believe that God can guard your heart and mind?
God promises that his peace will also guard our hearts and minds. I know in my life, my heart has lied to me. The Bible says your heart is deceitful and wicked. Proverbs also says to guard your heart above all else.
What about your mind? What do you think about? If your thoughts were on a public screen for all to see, what would people say?
Would they say you love God or money?
Would they say you are judgemental? Hypocrite? Lustful? Prideful?
5. Do you believe that God can HELP you get over ANYTHING?
We all sin. The truth is that all of us would be ashamed if someone looked at our thoughts. But that is not an to not GUARD our thoughts.
Next week, I will talk about how to guard your thoughts. Thanks for reading!
http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
JOY
Definition of Joy
Joy- a state of happiness based on unchanging divine promises-. Joy is unchanging regardless of circumstances.
1. What brings you joy?
Is is your spouse? Your car? Your iPhone?...this is personal :), Your job? Your house? Your kids?
If we are honest, our mood is always affected by our circumstances.
I am not sure about you, but my joy button is turned off and on during traffic, break-ups,family problems,and so on. However, true joy has nothing to do with circumstances but everything to do with God.
2. Joy is God centered
It is God-centered because it’s living out a life knowing that God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. His word never fails and He is always good on his promises, regardless of what circumstances are happening around us at any given moment.
One of my absolute favorite verses is Phil 4:16-17
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will GUARD your HEARTS and MINDS in CHRIST JESUS.
3. Joy does not mean happiness.
Happiness is something you get temporarily. For me, the iPhone brings me happiness! It sounds funny, but sooner or later, I am not going to be happy with the iPhone 4 and I will want the newest one. THAT IS NOT JOY. Nothing can truly bring you joy except Christ, knowing that He loves You no matter what. Knowing that He has a plan for your life no matter what. Knowing there is a reason for everything. Knowing that God knows best.
Do not let circumstances dictate your life. Let God's peace, joy, and love dictate your life. Remember, life is short here. And there will be nothing better than spending an eternity in Heaven with Jesus. This life is short. Joy comes from God, not stuff.
http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Joy- a state of happiness based on unchanging divine promises-. Joy is unchanging regardless of circumstances.
1. What brings you joy?
Is is your spouse? Your car? Your iPhone?...this is personal :), Your job? Your house? Your kids?
If we are honest, our mood is always affected by our circumstances.
I am not sure about you, but my joy button is turned off and on during traffic, break-ups,family problems,and so on. However, true joy has nothing to do with circumstances but everything to do with God.
2. Joy is God centered
It is God-centered because it’s living out a life knowing that God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. His word never fails and He is always good on his promises, regardless of what circumstances are happening around us at any given moment.
One of my absolute favorite verses is Phil 4:16-17
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will GUARD your HEARTS and MINDS in CHRIST JESUS.
3. Joy does not mean happiness.
Happiness is something you get temporarily. For me, the iPhone brings me happiness! It sounds funny, but sooner or later, I am not going to be happy with the iPhone 4 and I will want the newest one. THAT IS NOT JOY. Nothing can truly bring you joy except Christ, knowing that He loves You no matter what. Knowing that He has a plan for your life no matter what. Knowing there is a reason for everything. Knowing that God knows best.
Do not let circumstances dictate your life. Let God's peace, joy, and love dictate your life. Remember, life is short here. And there will be nothing better than spending an eternity in Heaven with Jesus. This life is short. Joy comes from God, not stuff.
http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html
Saturday, August 21, 2010
God is all you need
God is all You need.
Here are some things I have heard...
If I only had someone...
If I only could get a better job...
If she would just realize...
But, I need it...
But, It's worth it.
But, I know the consequences, and I am willing to pay for them.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for LIFE and godliness through our KNOWLEDGE of HIM who called us by his own glory and goodness...
1. God gave you everything.
Not only did Jesus GIVE You everything through HIS LIFE,we now we HAVE everything we need for life. Just by us knowing HIM, we have everything we need.
Peter 2:9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials...
2. God will get you through anything.
There is no trial too big for God. God's word says above that the Lord will rescue us from trials!We may feel like we are at the valley, but know that there is a moutnain top ahead! (Read the whole chapter to get a better picture).
1 Peter 3:8b-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness.
3. God may make you wait through something.
This life is short. Waiting- is something that we fully don't understand. Time is of no value to God. God has no time. He is the beginning and the ending of life. So, when we feel like God is taking too long to do something, remember His timing is best. His timing is not slow. He keeps His promises when He says He will never leave us, He will rescue us from trials, He will comfort us, He will forgive us, He will be everything we need!
4. Give God everything
Since God keeps his promises, claim this one! I pray this verse allllll the time.
Matt 6:33 God, I am going to seek You first, your kingdom and righteousness, and I KNOW that all these things will be given to me!
If you feel empty, sad, lonely, upset, angry-KNOW that GOD promises that IF YOU SEEK HIM FIRST, He will bring all these things to pass and give you what you need.
Father, I pray that we would live our lives for YOU. I pray we would understand that Your timing and Your way is a lot better that our timing and our way. Amen
Here are some things I have heard...
If I only had someone...
If I only could get a better job...
If she would just realize...
But, I need it...
But, It's worth it.
But, I know the consequences, and I am willing to pay for them.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for LIFE and godliness through our KNOWLEDGE of HIM who called us by his own glory and goodness...
1. God gave you everything.
Not only did Jesus GIVE You everything through HIS LIFE,we now we HAVE everything we need for life. Just by us knowing HIM, we have everything we need.
Peter 2:9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials...
2. God will get you through anything.
There is no trial too big for God. God's word says above that the Lord will rescue us from trials!We may feel like we are at the valley, but know that there is a moutnain top ahead! (Read the whole chapter to get a better picture).
1 Peter 3:8b-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness.
3. God may make you wait through something.
This life is short. Waiting- is something that we fully don't understand. Time is of no value to God. God has no time. He is the beginning and the ending of life. So, when we feel like God is taking too long to do something, remember His timing is best. His timing is not slow. He keeps His promises when He says He will never leave us, He will rescue us from trials, He will comfort us, He will forgive us, He will be everything we need!
4. Give God everything
Since God keeps his promises, claim this one! I pray this verse allllll the time.
Matt 6:33 God, I am going to seek You first, your kingdom and righteousness, and I KNOW that all these things will be given to me!
If you feel empty, sad, lonely, upset, angry-KNOW that GOD promises that IF YOU SEEK HIM FIRST, He will bring all these things to pass and give you what you need.
Father, I pray that we would live our lives for YOU. I pray we would understand that Your timing and Your way is a lot better that our timing and our way. Amen
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Patience through Delay
This post is going to be hard for me to type, because it is something I struggle with soooo much!
How many of you have ever been around people that drive you crazy because they twiddle their thumbs in line, sigh impatiently, roll their eyes when traffic is backed up, or complain about how long the lines are at DisneyLand in the busiest time of the year?
Well, that person is me. I used to think it was a "personality" trait. Some people are more patient with others. I do think that some people acquire more than others, BUT I do not think that is an excuse for people "like me" to not learn patience.
1. Love is Patient.
For most of us, we tend to think we are good at loving people. We say hi. We wave people in traffic. We smile at the waitress. We tip well. We hug. We say "I love you" to some people...but are we patient with them?
The first word that I Corinthians 13 describes love as is PATIENT. As we know, order is important! Love is Patient. Being patient with people requires that you have patience yourself!
2.Patience can be a result of suffering.
God does not rejoice in our suffering. He rejoices in our patience. He rejoices in what we have learned FROM being patient.
2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
3. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.
Patience is something given to us from God already. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,peace, PATIENCE..."
We have already received patience. We just need to activate it in our lives. Currently, mine is inactive, but I am slowly trying to make it a part of my Christian walk.
4. We learn patience through delay.
Many times, waiting on God to do something is very challenging. In the midst of it, we cannot stop wishing that something else would happen. But, would God allow it to happen if we didn't need it? Would God allow us to grow in patience if we already had enough of it? NO! God allows everything for a reason. Enjoy the time. Be thankful that God is teaching you something.Pray that you will learn what He is teaching you!
Psalm 27;14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord.
James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm...
Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Romans 12:2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
How many of you have ever been around people that drive you crazy because they twiddle their thumbs in line, sigh impatiently, roll their eyes when traffic is backed up, or complain about how long the lines are at DisneyLand in the busiest time of the year?
Well, that person is me. I used to think it was a "personality" trait. Some people are more patient with others. I do think that some people acquire more than others, BUT I do not think that is an excuse for people "like me" to not learn patience.
1. Love is Patient.
For most of us, we tend to think we are good at loving people. We say hi. We wave people in traffic. We smile at the waitress. We tip well. We hug. We say "I love you" to some people...but are we patient with them?
The first word that I Corinthians 13 describes love as is PATIENT. As we know, order is important! Love is Patient. Being patient with people requires that you have patience yourself!
2.Patience can be a result of suffering.
God does not rejoice in our suffering. He rejoices in our patience. He rejoices in what we have learned FROM being patient.
2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
3. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.
Patience is something given to us from God already. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,peace, PATIENCE..."
We have already received patience. We just need to activate it in our lives. Currently, mine is inactive, but I am slowly trying to make it a part of my Christian walk.
4. We learn patience through delay.
Many times, waiting on God to do something is very challenging. In the midst of it, we cannot stop wishing that something else would happen. But, would God allow it to happen if we didn't need it? Would God allow us to grow in patience if we already had enough of it? NO! God allows everything for a reason. Enjoy the time. Be thankful that God is teaching you something.Pray that you will learn what He is teaching you!
Psalm 27;14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord.
James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm...
Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Romans 12:2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
All the Single friends out there!
1. Marriage is far more than love! In the right situation, you can fall in love with ANYONE, but a marriage would be a disaster.
2. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
It may or may not take time to FIND the right person, but it will take effort to KEEP the right person.
3. You attract what you ARE, not what you WANT. If you want a godly lifemate, you must be one.
4. What we need is patience WHILE we are in the hardship.
Anything good takes time. Marriage is work (from what I hear). It is not like, whenever you get married, everything gets better. It gets different. Again, this is from what I hear! :)
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART. Wait I say on the Lord.
....All this to say, Marriage is NOT bad.I promise I am pro-marriage. BUT, like my friend said, marriage is great when God is in control. God is pro-marriage, but at his time and with the person God has for you. Don't rush. Don't force it. Let Go and Let God take control. YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need more than we do!
2. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
It may or may not take time to FIND the right person, but it will take effort to KEEP the right person.
3. You attract what you ARE, not what you WANT. If you want a godly lifemate, you must be one.
4. What we need is patience WHILE we are in the hardship.
Anything good takes time. Marriage is work (from what I hear). It is not like, whenever you get married, everything gets better. It gets different. Again, this is from what I hear! :)
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART. Wait I say on the Lord.
....All this to say, Marriage is NOT bad.I promise I am pro-marriage. BUT, like my friend said, marriage is great when God is in control. God is pro-marriage, but at his time and with the person God has for you. Don't rush. Don't force it. Let Go and Let God take control. YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need more than we do!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Suffering
Friends, this came straight from my journal this morning. I keep reading the same things and keep finding out that order in the Bible is so cool!! And important!
God, the more I read Your Word, the more I realize that suffering is not an option. Actually, it is almost like, more suffering, the better. I am getting the feeling that is true. As I look at people I admire, they went through many hardships to get them where they are at right now.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always. We are supposed to be joyful always. I see a reoccurring pattern here. Even though days may be hard, we are supposed to be joyful through it!
17 Pray Continually. Pray all the time. Instead of worrying, pray! Nothing ever comes out of worrying. You are not going to get it done faster, it can make yourself physically sick, and it is a sin! So, just pray whenever you feel anything. Put a reminder on your phone if you have to. Use post-its. Have it in your outlook program or your file-a-fax. Praying brings peace during trials.
18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. In trials, as hard as it may be, you MUST thank God for them. Why? Because God would not allow it to happen if he didn't need to teach you something. Trials bring us closer to God. Why? Because we realize that nothing else can bring us true peace than God himself. Relationships won't. Money won't. Jobs won't. Kids won't. Even ministry won't. Only God and God alone can bring us peace. So, when you are in a trial, say out loud. God, I thank you for this trial, because I know this is Your will for me! It is God's Will for you to suffer and have trials. Sometimes, it is the only way we will listen to Him. It is up to us to respond to the trial with joy, prayer, and thankfulness-knowing that this is God's will for us.
God, the more I read Your Word, the more I realize that suffering is not an option. Actually, it is almost like, more suffering, the better. I am getting the feeling that is true. As I look at people I admire, they went through many hardships to get them where they are at right now.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always. We are supposed to be joyful always. I see a reoccurring pattern here. Even though days may be hard, we are supposed to be joyful through it!
17 Pray Continually. Pray all the time. Instead of worrying, pray! Nothing ever comes out of worrying. You are not going to get it done faster, it can make yourself physically sick, and it is a sin! So, just pray whenever you feel anything. Put a reminder on your phone if you have to. Use post-its. Have it in your outlook program or your file-a-fax. Praying brings peace during trials.
18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. In trials, as hard as it may be, you MUST thank God for them. Why? Because God would not allow it to happen if he didn't need to teach you something. Trials bring us closer to God. Why? Because we realize that nothing else can bring us true peace than God himself. Relationships won't. Money won't. Jobs won't. Kids won't. Even ministry won't. Only God and God alone can bring us peace. So, when you are in a trial, say out loud. God, I thank you for this trial, because I know this is Your will for me! It is God's Will for you to suffer and have trials. Sometimes, it is the only way we will listen to Him. It is up to us to respond to the trial with joy, prayer, and thankfulness-knowing that this is God's will for us.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Philippians 4
I read Philippians 4 the other day,and I looked at the verses I had underlined in my Bible. But, I never noticed the order! It was amazing to see what God taught me from verses I have read OVER AND OVER! Here is what I got from Philippians 4 today.
1. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always
Before you start presenting your requests, rejoice that you have them. Rejoice in the unknown, rejoice in the heartache, rejoice in the growing pains, rejoice knowing that there is a reason.
2. Philippians 4:6 Pray
God tells us not to be anxious, but in everything, with prayer, present our requests to God. God said that His peace will transcend all our understanding and will guard our hearts and minds.
a. We need His peace
b. We need him to guard our heart and mind from the “What if’s” of life.
c. We need to pray
3. Philippians 4:8 Think about things that are true
Scripture is truer than anything we think or feel! After we rejoice, and after we pray, God says to think about things that are true. “What if’s” are not true. They are not noble, they are not right; they are not pure, or lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. God says to think about thinks you know are true!
4. Philippians 4:12 LEARN to be content
After you rejoice, and pray, and think about things that are true, we must learn to be content with the situation or circumstance. “What if’s” do not like the word content. But, God asks us learn to be content, whatever the circumstances. Learning takes studying, and practicing. Study and practice being content. Sooner or later, you will learn it.
5. Philippians 4:14 God will give You Strength
God knew that trials would wipe us out of our own strength! That is why we have to rely on His strength. After you rejoice, pray, think about things that are true, make an effort to be content-realize that you can do all things through Christ that gives you strength!
6. Philippians 4:19 God will meet all your needs And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.He knows what you need and when you need it.
1. Rejoice always. 2. Pray to God. 3. Learn to be content 4. Think about true things. 5. Know God will give you strength 6. God will meet all your needs!
Father, help us follow You in these words. Amen
1. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always
Before you start presenting your requests, rejoice that you have them. Rejoice in the unknown, rejoice in the heartache, rejoice in the growing pains, rejoice knowing that there is a reason.
2. Philippians 4:6 Pray
God tells us not to be anxious, but in everything, with prayer, present our requests to God. God said that His peace will transcend all our understanding and will guard our hearts and minds.
a. We need His peace
b. We need him to guard our heart and mind from the “What if’s” of life.
c. We need to pray
3. Philippians 4:8 Think about things that are true
Scripture is truer than anything we think or feel! After we rejoice, and after we pray, God says to think about things that are true. “What if’s” are not true. They are not noble, they are not right; they are not pure, or lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. God says to think about thinks you know are true!
4. Philippians 4:12 LEARN to be content
After you rejoice, and pray, and think about things that are true, we must learn to be content with the situation or circumstance. “What if’s” do not like the word content. But, God asks us learn to be content, whatever the circumstances. Learning takes studying, and practicing. Study and practice being content. Sooner or later, you will learn it.
5. Philippians 4:14 God will give You Strength
God knew that trials would wipe us out of our own strength! That is why we have to rely on His strength. After you rejoice, pray, think about things that are true, make an effort to be content-realize that you can do all things through Christ that gives you strength!
6. Philippians 4:19 God will meet all your needs And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.He knows what you need and when you need it.
1. Rejoice always. 2. Pray to God. 3. Learn to be content 4. Think about true things. 5. Know God will give you strength 6. God will meet all your needs!
Father, help us follow You in these words. Amen
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